Settlement and Conflict – Ass #1.3

Settlement (natural) versus Conflict (unnatural)

Assignment 1.3 (Blog post – Chamberlin – Question #4)

“The sad fact is that the history of settlement around the world is the history of displacing other people from their lands, of discounting their livelihoods and destroying their languages” (Chamberlin 78)

“The history of many of the world’s conflicts is a history of dismissing a different belief or different behaviour as unbelief or misbehaviour, and of discrediting those who believe or behave differently as infidels or savages.” (Chamberlin  78)

Above are two different ways of examining and understanding the history of settlement in Canada. The first way of understanding history “naturalizes” notions of settlement and civilization which was first proposed by Lewis Henry Morgan in, Ancient Society (1877). As described by Morgan, “The remote ancestors of the Aryan nations presumptively passed through an experience similar to that of existing barbarous and savage tribes” (6). For more of the original document, it is available here (digitally that is), the Introduction of Ancient Society by Morgan.

Internet Archive
Internet Archive

The different way of looking at this way of explaining history, not through settlement but rather through conflict, which is simultaneously occurring for many people. This way of understanding the history of Canada is to attempt to prevent the denial of the Indigenous people’s experiences, stories and voices. By considering that conflict between humans are often as a result of diverse cultural differences (beliefs, behaviours, ceremonies) rather than absolute hierarchical linear evolution from the ‘savage’ to the ‘civilized, it redefines “Them and Us”.

It brings all of us together by considering both sides of the story, the them and the us as part of an interrelated version of historical story. If one attempts to consider history through the exploration of different beliefs rather than in a way that reinforces the colonizers view of the settler versus others, it becomes difficult to see the ‘other’ as being the opposite of ‘us’. Instead one begins to view the pain and suffering of the ‘other’, of Them.

So when exploring history through conflict, the meaning of home becomes much more difficult to isolate. However, I think a recent clip by The Daily Show with Trevor Noah begins to sum up the different stories that arise if one views the oppressed individuals as human beings with a voice that should be heard.  Watch the clip from Hasan Minhaj from the Daily Show with Trevor Noah as well as watch some additional footage about the protest.

That clip is available here:

http://uproxx.com/tv/daily-show-pipeline-protest-north-dakota/

I felt this recent clip was relevant as little mainstream media attention is being paid to this story illustrating that the story is still considering the view of the settlers rather than the dislocated (homeless). If we were to consider this through the eyes of conflict rather than what is ‘natural’ perhaps mainstream media would be airing some of the personal stories that would likely be heard if one were to go there and talk to some of the occupiers (aka protestors) but really they are occupying their land with culture, stories, and voices in order to contest the future of the area. All they want to do is protect their home despite what the settlers hope they do which is approve the pipeline which if one looks carefully, it isn’t difficult to see the ongoing colonization (and forced spread of capitalism – oil isn’t shared by all) in the current situation in North Dakota. It is rather disturbing to myself, much like many of the historical stories Chamberlin mentioned in relation to being homesick, homeless and homelessness.

Works Cited

Chamberlin, J. Edward. If This Is Your Land, Where Are Your Stories?  Vintage Canada, 2004.

Morgan, Lewis Henry. “Ancient Society.” Internet Archive, archive.org/stream/ancientsociety035004mbp#page/n25/mode/2up. Accessed 17 September 2016.

Roberts, Andrew. “‘The Daily Show’ Lends a Hand to End the Native American Pipeline Protest in North Dakota.” uproxx.com. uproxx.com/tv/daily-show-pipeline-protest-north-dakota/. Accessed 18 September 2016.

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